- Pennsylvania, USA -
~ UPDATE: October 5, 2021
JOANNA M. FLEMING (pictured below) pled guilty to 25 counts of animal cruelty.
FOX43 reports that the charges, stemming from offenses committed 2020, "include five felony charges for aggravated cruelty to animals causing significant bodily injury or death, 10 misdemeanor charges for lack of veterinary care, and 10 summary charges for lack of veterinary care, lack of shelter and cruelty to animals."
In 2020, a total of 95 animals were rescued from FLEMING including cats, chickens, dogs, ducks, horses, and pigs.
Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker accepted the plea and sentenced FLEMING “to a total of seven years of probation, the first six months of which will be spent on house arrest”, reports FOX43.
According to FOX 43, the Pennsylvania SPCA said that FLEMING must also forfeit all of the animals related to the cases and is prohibited from owning animals for seven years.
FLEMING was also ordered to pay full restitution to the PSPCA, and is subject to random inspections by Humane Law Enforcement officers.
~ UPDATE: December 20,20
Lancaster County District Attorney's Office said that 45-year-old JOANNA M. FLEMING (pictured below), charged with numerous counts of animal cruelty in October, never appeared for her three preliminary hearings in early December.
Two of the hearings are in reference to animal abuse and cruelty.
The third hearing regarded FLEMING using a deceased relative’s debit card to make purchases online and at convenience stores.
Despite her no-shows, the hearings continued, and District Judge Stuart Mylin ordered all counts, including animal cruelty and abuse, be bound for Lancaster County court.
FLEMING was arrested on October 8, by Lancaster County Detectives following an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania SPCA.
FLEMING was charged with a total of 10 counts of animal cruelty after along her property on Peach Bottom Road in Fulton Township, the Pennsylvania SPCA found horses and dogs in emaciated condition.
From the investigation it emerged that numerous other animals were also discovered to be in poor health due to lack of food, water, and veterinary care.
The PSPCA said a newborn horse who was septic and had necrotic wounds was taken to the New Bolton Center.
Sadly, her condition was determined to be “unrecoverable,” and she was humanely euthanized.
A puppy was also euthanized.
Three horses were found to be emaciated and suffering from severe dental disease, overgrown hooves, and rain rot.
One filly was found with a laceration on her hind leg that required medical attention.
The Pennsylvania SPCA says that of the horses removed from the property, five remain on hold in their care.
All but one of the horses surrendered have been adopted.
The remaining horses in the protective custody of the organization will remain so until they are signed over or relinquished through the adjudication of the court case.
Speaking the day after FLEMING’s arrest, director of Humane Law Enforcement at the PSPCA Nicole Wilson said: “Yesterday, the Pennsylvania SPCA took the first step in bringing the individual responsible for the suffering of numerous horses to justice.”
And added: “We are confident that with the help of the Lancaster District Attorney’s office, these horses will see justice in the courts.”
In the meantime, a petition has been created addressed to Lancaster County District Attorney Heather L. Adams, asking to prosecute JOANNA M. FLEMING to the fullest extent of the law for starving and neglecting a farm full of horses.
Pictures shared from Local 21 News
~ Original story: October 10, 2020
On Thursday, October 8, investigators and officials with the Pennsylvania SPCA removed 11 horses from an equine rescue in Peach Bottom.
The poor souls were found emaciated and with overgrown hooves.
Some of them had wounds which required medical attention, others were underweight, and with dental diseases.
The nonprofit said that a newborn horse named Baby was septic and had a necrotic wound.
Baby was then taken to the New Bolton Center veterinary hospital in Chester County.
Sadly, veterinarians determined her condition was “unrecoverable,” so she was humanely euthanized.
In connection with this case, 45-year-old JOANNA FLEMING (pictured below), of Peach Bottom, was arrested on Thursday, and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and neglect of animals.
FLEMING is facing 10 charges of animal cruelty, including 4 felonies.
Ms. Nicole Wilson, director of Humane Law Enforcement at the PSPCA said: “Yesterday, the Pennsylvania SPCA took the first step in bringing the individual responsible for the suffering of numerous horses to justice. Our organization began 150 years ago to rescue horses and we continue that work today. This case exemplifies the work of our officers to not only respond to animal cruelty calls but to continue following up until every single animal is safe. We are confident that with the help of the Lancaster District Attorney’s office, these horses will see justice in the courts.”
Local 21 News report that: “Of the horses removed from the property, five remain on hold at the Pennsylvania SPCA. All but one of the horses surrendered have all been adopted.
The remaining horses in the protective custody of the organization will remain so until they are signed over or relinquished through the adjudication of the court case.”
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Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
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